I agree with Greta Garbo. I think the German version is most definitely superior to Metro's English language attempt to bring O'Neill's heroine to the screen. For one thing, she has a better script here and – dare I say it – a better support cast. For a start, it was certainly a bright idea to jettison the time-wasting introductory scene between Chris and Marthy. We now pick them up as they wend their way to the "Lady's Entrance" of the waterfront dive in which Herman Bing now officiates. Pleasingly, Bing's part has been built up and it's fascinating to see him handle a good dramatic role – even if it does mean standing in the background for most of the time. Just his very presence lends color to a scene. I see that most everyone agrees that our hero here, Theo Shall, is much more accomplished – and indeed charismatic – than Charles Bickford. That would not be difficult. Bickford had barely started his movie career at this stage. Anna Christie was his fourth of around eighty-five movies. But I also thought that Hans Junkerman was more convincing and far more communicative than George F. Marion and that Salka Viertel was at least the equal of the scene-stealing but just a little too pushy Marie Dressler who tends to over-act. Salka was less charismatic but far more convincing. Available on an excellent Warner Archive DVD.
Review of Anna Christie
